Fence-post



(N0 Model.)

J. H. HELM.

Fence Post. No. 231,667. Patented Aug 31,1880.

N. PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J. HENRY HELM, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

'FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 231,667, dated August 31, 1880.

Application filed May 25, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it'may concern:

Be it known that I, J. HENRY HELM, of Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fence-Posts; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists in a particular fencepost, constructed as hereinafter fully set forth,

and pointed out in the claim.

To enable others skilled in the art with which my invention is most nearly connected to make and useit, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of my specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my new post for wire fence when said post is constructed of a single piece of iron. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a modification of the same when constructed of two pieces of iron, representing the lower ends of the post placed in a guide prior to being driven into the ground. Fig. 3 is a top view or plan of said guide. Fig. at is a side elevation of a cap which is placed upon the upper end of the post for protecting it while driving itinto the ground. Fig. 5 is a top view of said cap. Fig. 6 represents a face view and transverse section (full size) of the an gle-iron or T-iron used in the manufacture of my post. Fig. 7 is a side view of thesame, and also represents a recess for the reception of the fence-wire and the manner of securing it-to the post.

In the accompanying drawings, A and A form the two limbs of my improvementin posts for wire fence. That part of said limbs between the dotted lines 0 e are vertical, and may be furnished with points, as shown at D in Fig. 1, and above said point the limbs are inclined toward each other, forming an inverted V.

The post may be constructed of a single piece of iron bent into the form shown in Fig. 1; or it may be constructed of two pieces of iron bent to the form of the limbs A A, and

welded, riveted, or bolted together, as shown at c in Fig. 2.

, 'When the post is constructed of two pieces of iron the limb A may be lighter-that is, of

less weight-than the limb A, as shown in Fig. 2, and need not necessarily be of the same formed iron as A, but of the usual angle-iron.

The wing or flange B of the angle or T iron I strengthen by a rib, B, and this is the character of the iron used for the post shown in Fig. 1; but for the post shown in Fig. 2 only the part A need be so re-enforced, and part A be made of the usual T-iron, and the part B of this may be narrower or lighter in such case.

The guide E is constructed in two parts and hinged at a a and b b, the rods 01 d serving the purpose of pintles, either of which may be withdrawn for the purpose of opening the two parts for the reception of the lower ends of the limbs A and A, or for the purpose of removing the guide after the vertical parts 70 7c of the post have been driven into the ground.

In the operation of driving the parts 7c 70 into the ground the cap F (shown in Figs. 4 and 5) is placed upon the upper end of the post, as indicated by the dotted lines Z in Fig. 1, and the operator, striking on it with a sledge or maul, forces the parts k is down through the guide E into the ground without injury to the upper end of the post. ity in the cap F, corresponding to the size and contour of the upper end of the post, prevents said end from being distorted or otherwise injured.

Having the desired number of posts set by the operation hereinbefore described, the fencewire is placed in the recesses O, as indicated atf in Fig. 7, and the wire or wires stretched by any of the known means. The operator then, by means of a suitable tool, forces the outer wall, h, of the recess 0 against the inner wall, a, so as to inclose the wire or wires f, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 7.

By the use of angle-iron or T-iron the maximum of strength and stiffness with the minimum of weight of metal is obtained, and by the peculiar form of the two limbs A and A of the post they are held firmly and securely in the ground, each acting as a brace, the one for the other.

The vertical portions of the limbs of the post are better adapted to be driven into the ground, while the angle form of the limbs is better adapted for holding them in the ground. The vertical portions of the limbs also give stiff- The form of the cav-' ness to the post by acting as braces and preventing the spreading of the inclined portions of the limbs while driving their vertical portions into the ground.

It is frequently desirable to use a board rail instead of some of the wires. pose the wing or web 0 of the limb A is furnished with holes m for nails, for securing the board (wooden) rail to the limb A of the post,

as indicated by dotted lines at n in Fig. 1.

The nails used for securing the board rail to the limb A should be wrought or malleable, for the purpose of clinching them when driven through the board rail.

The post hereinbefore described will be strong, durable, and economical when compared with the ordinary wooden post, and the many disadvantages connected therewith obviated.

I am aware that telegraph-poles have been set that are of the inverted-V shape and of For this pur-- channel-bar iron, and that single bar posts have been made of ordinary angle or T iron.

The guide E may or may not be used in driving my post, as it is evident that other means could be employed to facilitate that end, or the post might sometimes be driven without any guide. It forms no part of the post after the same has been driven. I therefore intend to make it the subject of a separate patent.

Having thus described my improvement, what I claim as of my invention is- The angle or T iron fence-post herein described, consisting of the part A and notched part A, the upper portions of which converge and unite at the top, and lower portions made parallel and separated.

J. HENRY HELM.

Witnesses:

A. O. JOHNSTON, JAMES J. JOHNSTON. 

